Scott Schwager

The relationship between visual arts, performing arts and curatorial areas: implications for collaboration and co-authorship

Chelsea College of Arts

My research considers motivations, conditions and outcomes of art collaboration. Collaboration is not new. Artists have been working together in traditional arrangements such as in workshops and couples since ancient times. For me, collaboration today includes joint goals, process, authorship and ownership. This differs from working alone, of course, but also from other ways of working together, such as cooperation, participation or in a hierarchy.

My focus is on co-authored two-person art collaboration. It is only since the 1970s that artists have moved towards a position of co-authorship. My practice of two-person co-authored collaboration during the period of my PhD forms the basis for my research. For clarity, I separate my practice of walking, talking, and drawing in my research - though these in fact overlap and produce outcomes beyond themselves.

My research is informed by my interest in the relationships between people collaborating. However, I am not exploring an ideological position but rather proposing a hands-on, open, ‘making-sense’ approach. My research also includes interviews of two-person collaborations that inform my practice. I am also interested in the spaces in which collaboration occurs.